Ok, I have a 1989 IROC with the stock 305 TPI just over 80k miles. The engine has a ticking sound from the number 7 cylinder other than that it runs idles very well with no smoke on startup smells like it is running a tad bit rich. The car had been sitting for a few years and it may have a bad lifter. Here is what I am looking at doing. I am going to remove the fuel injectors and send them to be cleaned and tested. Check the valve lash, and replace distributer and rotor button and plug wires. I have replaced the plugs and it did need that, replaced fuel pump sending unit and fuel filter they were bad.
What I would like to know is if I need to replace the lifters should I replace with new or would a good set of used be ok? (OEM Hydraulic roller lifters) If I replace the lifters should I replace anything along with them? I would like to keep from going to deep into the engine with it running as well as it is other than the ticking and rich smell.
I would also like to know if recommended to replace any parts what to get where to get them cost and part numbers.
Thanks

 

Remember that ticking can also be a small exhaust leak. They sound almost exactly the same. Only difference is that an exhaust leak will get louder as you put the engine under load, where a valve tap will stay at a fairly constant volume.

 

Your engine will have roller lifters. It's probably just a valve lash issue, but if not you could replace just the one with a good used lifter. Rollers don't typicaly wear out in 80k mi.

Also be aware that the fuel injectors tick when they fire....

 

Yeah, I can hear the injectors clicking they sound fine. The clicking I hear is a just a bit louder and when I put my stethoscope on each cylinder on the valve cover I can hear the ticking on the number 7 cylinder. It is light under idle the gets louder under load till I get in 3rd gear it never sounds real bad just like it needs adjusting. Using the stethoscope you can hear it real clear almost feel as if you can almost see the pushrod that has a small gap tapping against the rocker arm. I was thinking with the engine sitting for the last 4 years, if 1 of the lifters was dry it could have caused it to fail.
I know the exhaust is fine no fumes or smell under the hood while engine is running. Also using the stethoscope going all over the engine you can pinpoint the exact location the sound is coming from. As well as visual inspection you can tell the exhaust is fine. Sure wish it were exhaust leak.
Also the car has no catalytic converter and yes I will need one where I live. So what would be the best one to use?

Thanks